One ticket, three stops and a full day on the tracks back in time. The Long Island Rail Road’s new Day Pass has reimagined the commuter line, making it easier than ever to plan a trip where the destination isn't Penn Station.

Launched in January, the new ticket option offers unlimited travel in both directions from the moment of purchase until 4 a.m. the following day. It’s also 10% cheaper than two one-way tickets.

But the real value is the freedom to hop off. On the Babylon branch, where trains run frequently and stations are only minutes apart, that opens the door to an easy, multi-stop station hop.

This stretch goes for a nostalgic theme: a longtime dinette in Babylon, a century-old bank in Lindenhurst revived into a restaurant and a soda shop in Amityville that nods to its 19th century roots. The stops are just minutes apart, but together they offer a snapshot of more than a century of Long Island history.

How to buy a Day Pass

The Day Pass replaced traditional round-trip fares entirely. Because both Babylon and Amityville are located within the same zone, the pass allows you to hop freely between these stations and any intermediate stops like Lindenhurst for a single flat fee. This journey is priced at $6.75 for peak or off-peak status on both weekdays and weekends.

The most efficient way to secure your pass is through the MTA TrainTime mobile app, though physical options are also available:

• MTA TrainTime: Enter your origin and destination (e.g., Babylon to Amityville) and select the Day Pass option. Note that mobile Day Passes auto-activate upon purchase and are non-refundable, so they are best bought the morning of your trip.
• Station kiosks: You can purchase a paper Day Pass at ticket machines located at any station. These do not require digital activation and can be bought with cash or card.
• Ticket offices: Staffed ticket offices, such as the one at Babylon Station, are also equipped to issue Day Passes during operating hours.

🚆 Babylon 🚆

Breakfast back in time

Glen’s Dinette

23 Main St., glensdinette.com, 631-669-4700

Begin in Babylon, a major LIRR hub with easy access for day-trippers with public parking at the station (25 cents per hour) and an extensive Main Street of dining, shopping and entertainment. From there, it’s a short walk to Glen’s Dinette, a fixture in the village since 1948 marked by a retro neon script sign that stands out against the modern streetscape.

“When I first bought Glen’s in 1990, I was only 24 and it was a dream of mine to have a small place,” said owner “Hapi” Auer, who runs the diner with his wife, Chrissy. “It wasn’t doing too well, but it was here, it was open and it still had life. I knew I could do something with that.”

Inside, the pair has meticulously preserved the vintage feel while expanding the space. Eight large red booths occupy what was once a neighboring vacuum store, which Auer purchased and incorporated into the diner in 1999. On the original side, 15 red barstools line a matching counter facing the kitchen, with three small single booths lining the opposite wall. Most mornings, lines stretch out the door.

The walls serve as a running archive of the community, covered with old photos of Babylon Village and license plates from visitors across Long Island and beyond, including some from as far away as Hawaii. According to Auer, the counter, stools, lighting and the back wall of plates are all original.

That consistency extends to the menu, where everything from soups to gravy is made from scratch. The Blue Monkey pancakes ($13), filled with bananas and blueberries, and the homemade corned beef hash ($11) have both been served since day one.

“We added on as time went on, and our customers come up with great ideas, like our Thanksgiving on a roll,” Auer said. “To this day, 36 years later, it’s still one of the most popular things on our menu.”

Other staples include the Rockin’ Reuben ($13.50), stacked with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing on grilled marble rye. The Farmer’s Breakfast ($17), with homemade sausage stuffing, poached eggs, Hollandaise and roasted root vegetables, is a newer addition that has quickly become popular.

As for why Glen’s has endured for generations, Auer believes diners are searching for places that don't just feel authentic.

“We’re having a little bit of a renaissance right now,” he said. “People want that hometown feeling that isn’t contrived or invented, but is for real. People want to feel connected to their communities, and Glen's prides itself on that."

The order: Try the hash for old-fashioned flavor or Farmer's Breakfast for a modern mouthful.

Hours: Open Monday-Saturday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

🚆 Lindenhurst 🚆

Lunch in the vault

Breakers Burrito Bar

147 S. Wellwood Ave., greatsouthbaybrewery.com, 631-226-2337

A six-minute train ride from Babylon brings you to Lindenhurst, where one of the village’s most recognizable buildings has taken on a new life.

The building that now houses Breakers Burrito Bar dates to 1930, when it opened as The First Bank of Lindenhurst. Over the decades, it transitioned through Security National Bank, Chemical Bank and later Chase before closing around 2006. After sitting vacant for more than 15 years, the property was redeveloped by Great South Bay Brewery in 2024 and reimagined into its current West Coast-inspired concept, which opened in April.

Much of its originality is still visible. The grand facade remains largely unchanged, preserving its identity as a community landmark. Inside, the original steel vault doors are intact and now open into a wood-paneled room of cozy booths and pinball machines. A “Lindenhurst” bank clock hangs above the front entrance. An upstairs level, once used as an employee break room, overlooks the main floor, while a newly built rooftop adds outdoor space.

“People love coming in and telling us their memories of this bank,” corporate chef Chris Palmer said. “I think it’s a great thing that we can let people enjoy the new space while reliving childhood memories.”

The latest iteration was designed to stand apart from the cluster of breweries and bars along Wellwood, which now totals five within a short stretch. The menu leans into Southern California and Tex-Mex influences. Burritos ($12-$16) range from bulgogi beef and carne asada to poke tuna and fried chicken, while crunchwraps are $10. Starters like the birria egg rolls ($9) and chicken flautas ($11) are among the most popular shareables.

Cocktails — including margaritas, mojitos, rum punch and tequila-based drinks — run $13 to $16, and Great South Bay beers remain on tap for $7 to $10. On Fridays, a DJ from 9 p.m. to midnight shifts the space from a daytime restaurant into its nightlife setting.

The order: Try a variety of burritos ($12-$16) with bulgogi beef or poke tuna, or the birria egg roll ($9).

Hours: Open Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight. 

🚆 Amityville 🚆

Sweet nostalgia

The Scoop Soda Shoppe

170 Park Ave., thescoopamityville.com, 631-532-5522

Meet sweet nostalgia a five-minute ride away in Amityville, where the focus shifts even further back in time.

The Scoop Soda Shoppe, which opened in September 2024, occupies a site that once housed an ice cream parlor in the late 19th century. Owner Amanda Gaynor uncovered that history through the local historical society and built the shop around it, incorporating original elements wherever possible.

The centerpiece is the original 1894 back-bar mirror — a standout feature framed with pink marble and white milk glass that anchors the space. Historic photos of the original shop and vintage signage line the walls displaying an assortment of ice cream offerings at the time, including a sundae named after Broadway star Lillian Russell.

The atmosphere leans into that history while keeping things current — a modern take on a traditional soda shop, with a bright, compact layout and a strong neighborhood feel. Personal touches, including photos of Gaynor’s four children, add to the small-business character that has long defined this stretch of Park Avenue.

The order: To stay true to the theme, go for an egg cream ($3.50), root beer float ($7.25) or banana split ($11). If you’re looking for a modern twist on the old-school treats, their homemade bubble waffle cones ($10) and dirty sodas ($6.50) have become viral local favorites.

Hours: Open Tuesday-Friday at 2 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday at noon.